With my time in college coming to an end, I find myself looking back on how things were the last time I graduated and how things have changed since then. Five years seems like an insignificant amount of time, but when I see myself now, compared to back then, I realize that I'm a completely different person. So many things have happened since then to shape me into the person I am today, whether good or bad. Though going back in time is impossible, there are things I would tell myself then that I know now.
- Don't be afraid to be yourself. You can never make lasting friendships or be in a relationship with someone unless they know the real you. Don't ever be afraid to be up front about the things you like, especially once you become an extreme fan of the Walking Dead. I think leaving high school allowed me to be more honest about myself to everyone, not just my friend group. I'm a complete history nerd and I really do not care who knows it.
- You will stay in touch with the people who really want to. I know graduating translates to "we'll keep in touch and be friends forever!" Yeah, right... That will only happen when the both of you try to keep in contact with each other. Some of my closest friends I don't always talk to on a daily or regular basis, but when we get together again its like no time has passed at all. And we are always there for each other when we need it most. Something I've learned is quality over quantity when it comes to friendships.
-Don't waste your time trying to make something happen. This right here would probably be the biggest thing I would make myself do over again. If someone doesn't want to be with you in the same way that you want, then you need to walk away. They will not respect you if you're always available for what they want. You have to stand up for yourself and realize that you are worth so much more than that.
- Appreciate your family. At 17, I used to argue with my mother constantly over the stupidest things. I would be mean and say I couldn't wait to leave for college. But once I left, I realized how important she was and how I wasn't emotionally ready to leave her. Being apart from my family was the absolute worst part of moving away for college. And the losses I've experience in the past year have shown me just how important they truly are.
-Actually take the advice your mom gives you. I know no one wants to listen to their mother at 17, but I would have spared myself a lot of heartache if I actually listened to her. While one can argue that I needed to experience it on my own, if I had listened to my mom it probably would have been better.
-If you're going away for college, go far enough that you can't come home regularly. This should be a no-brainer. I moved an hour away from home, and being too close allowed me to just come home when I should have been out trying to make friends or get acclimated with college. If I could go back and do it again, I would probably go much further because I needed to learn to live on my own.
-Enjoy yourself. As cliche as it sounds, you only get to live once. And every experience you miss you will not get back. So don't be afraid to take the time off from work to go to the football game. I promise you will have a better time at the game.
